Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00734370

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Agoraphobic Participants

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, particularly for specific phobias as fear of heights and fear of flying (e.g. Powers & Emmelkamp, 2008). Recent technological advances (e.g. more realistic avatars) make research into the efficacy of VRET for participants with elevated agoraphobic symptoms desirable. Therefore, the aim of the present research proposal is to investigate the comparative efficacy of:

1. enhanced VRET making use of the latest avatar technology with 2. exposure in vivo in agoraphobic participants 3. wait-list control.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Panic Disorder Agoraphobia Anxiety Disorders Mental Disorders Phobic Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • A full diagnosis of panic disorder with agoraphobia according to the DSM-IV
  • Between the ages of 18-65 years
  • Sufficient fluency in Dutch to complete treatment and research protocol

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of medical condition, assessed by self-report questionnaires at the intake (i.e., pregnancy, seizure disorder, pacemaker)
  • Current use of Beta-blockers
  • Current use of tranquilizers (Benzodiazepines)
  • Unstable psychotropic medication
  • Substance dependence
  • Psychosis
  • Depression with suicidal ideation
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
  • Dementia or other severe cognitive impairment
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Anti-social Personality Disorder

Treatment and study plan

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for agoraphobic participants

Behavioral

This intervention is comprised of 10 sessions of cognitive behavior therapy for panic disorder and agoraphobia with components of

  • Psycho-education, breathing training and cognitive restructuring
  • Virtual reality Exposure to agoraphobic situations and interoceptive exposure
  • Relapse prevention

Standard exposure in vivo for agoraphobic participants

Behavioral

This intervention is comprised of 10 sessions of cognitive behavior therapy for panic disorder and agoraphobia with components of

  • Psycho-education, breathing training and cognitive restructuring
  • Standard exposure in vivo to agoraphobic situations and interoceptive exposure
  • Relapse prevention (according to the protocol of Craske & Barlow)

Primary outcomes

  1. Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS); Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia (MI); Behavioural Avoidance Test (BAT)

    Time frame: Assessed at pre- and post-treatment and 6-12 months follow-up

Secondary outcomes

  1. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI); Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory (ASI); Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS); Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ); Bodily Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ); Panic Appraisal Inventory (PAI)

    Time frame: Process measures: are taken prior to treatment, after the fourth treatment session and at post-treatment. The PDSS and PAI will be administered every therapy session

    Process measures are taken prior to treatment, after the fourth treatment session and at post-treatment. The same measures will also be taken at 6 months follow-up.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

VU University of Amsterdam

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2012
First posted
Aug 14, 2008
Registry last updated
Sep 13, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.